Mechanical sealing device



w, fm 3 w Of C. A. FINK MECHNCAL SEALING DEVCE y zz April 14, 1953 Filed June 22 1950 April 14, 1953 C, A, FlNK 2,634,99O

v MEcHANIcAL SEALING DEVICE Filed June 22, 1950 2 sHEETs-SHEET 2 Patented Apr. 14,l 1953 :1 -1f UNITED s'rA-'l-'Efs ostre-ei The-.s presentV invention.v relates' generallyzto mechanicalsealing devices. More particularly thefinvention relates. to thatitypeiofzdevice which is-f .designed for4 use a in connection witha centrifugal pump; arotary. compressor: or-'rotherunit sha'ftj'. ,extendingj through an.V oversized! opening inzt-he; casing, vserves to preventthefluid in* the casingjromdeakingor; flcwing: through thesshaft' opening, ,and as'its principal.componentsmrsparts;

comprises:` (1); an; annularwa'lllwhiclris disp'osed-` exteriorlyfof: the; casing, .isI connected' to; andpro-` jctsr'outwardsifrom; the opening defi'nin'g'p'ortion'l of; theizzcasing; and hasfitszinner: periphery'- in `the*- form of a bore which is of greater diameter than; and; is:l in; concentric relation: with, the shaft opening; land (2 a. pairz'of. coa'ctingring-shaped? sea'ling` members;` one; offv which' is= fixed to f theshaft: for.- drive: or 'rot'ationl therewith'; and1 the otherof which'abuts against theione'member 'and is'heldagainst' rotationi with ithe' shaft.

Gn'e: object i of the: inventionvv isl to provide' a seaiing device fzof fthis' type lwhich .isf an improve'- ment: upon,.. and' has' certain advantages" over;

previously; designed..mechanical'fisealingf devices' of-.thei same: general construction land is *charac-f terized.: by extremely' high. efii'cien'cy; simplicity= of:`d'esign 'ror construction; and'a novel arrangef ment and mode of loperation' of parts:

'[Anotherobject of lthe'inventi'onf is to* provide' a* mechanical sealingfdeviceof the ia-foremention'ed* typein which the rotary ring' shaped sea'ling;

`member 'is disposedl adjacent "the-outer'end' off the? annular f wall and: 'has an' el'astic fsealing ring between it' and the she-ft, andf'the statmn'ary:''sealin'g';v member* is mounted'wthin the annular wall Vso" that? it is free* to vfioat i or angu1ariyadjust' itself tofla'slimited extent in` order to eifect'seli'`-a1ign-` mentthereof with'the rotary sealingmember;

hasian'fiela'stic sealing ring between it 'and the' an; i nularwall and 'is-spaced' from the'in'ner. end'of' th'ei- Wall` so `'as' to provide'V a pressure cham'ber'' wh'ichis' in` communication with fthe interio'ri' of the' casingf via the oversizedvshaft opening and:

p'ermits'v thef'fiuid' under` pressure' that? accumu-l lates therein during 'drive of? the v'shaft t'o.` exertl such-f endwise pressure. 'on the station'ary 'sealing member as to-causeit'firmly to'abut' against the.v

rotary'sealingmember:V

- Another object of theinventon' is; to. provide a.

mechanical 'sealin'gfdeviceof' theV type.. and'chanacter jlastmentioned. in 'which the.. rotary,l ring sha edi'sealing member isfsurrounddliby. a, fixed collarfand' "has betweenfitand'the coll'ar. anan-V zmweirwhicifis'adapted ta'retama supply ofN any suitable lubricant and. communicates: with the abutting end surfaces between the -rotary and stationary.r sealingv members vby way of` ductsin theinner endofftherotarysealing member.

Another; object of. theinvention.istoprovidea mechanical sealingz device of Athe type Aand: character under consideration in which the fioating variety stationaryA sealing member within. the annular. wall?v is. urgedl in theV direction of-thc rotary. sealii'ig,VV memberby spring meanstcthe end, that when the drive.` shaftis stoppedVV and 'thereis hence .no fiuid pressure zinthe :pressure A* further object of the. inventiontfiisz to provide: a mechanical sealingdevice of the types undei`` consideration inwhich theffioating'. variety stawtionary sealingmember:` Withinthe'fannularfiwall is heldz. against rotation. reativelyzto. the. drive:`

shaft. by, pins; whichv are-v disposedn 'parallel relazfi tion with'the =shaft andhave' certain endsv thercoff fixedlyi'securediwithinsockets: in' the: opening 'fd'e-` fining;-.-=portion of. the: casin'gtandttheir "otherxends disposed'; lo'osely with'mfsocketsf 'in :the innerl'endi of;=thestationaryzsealingmember;

A: still frth'erhb'j ect .off thelinventiorriis'to pr'o''v vide r a Vmechanical'isealing device which' is` jgen-71 erallyfof new and improved;H construction;A pos-' sesses-.comparatively-Plong life: and may be man-u-" factured and servi'cedat a*comparativ'elyflox'srV cost: v

Otherfrobjects:ofrthevinventionf and* thevarious advanta'gesr?iv and'i characteristics*- of theff' present f" mechanical :sea'lingfidevicefl-'will 'fbeiapparent'lfrom aficonsideratiorrof. theffo1lowin'g5detai1ed' desci-'iz-lv'V Thezinventioniconsistsin the several=nove1zfea$ tu'res which are.`V` hereinafterz set.--forth and: are" morepar-ticularlv:V defined ..'by= claims atV the' com.7

clusion hereof..

Inthe. drawingszwhich accompany. andv form-far; pfartxlof, this` specificationor. disclosurei and inf. which. like. numerals of reference denotef corre-'-,

spon'dngjparts throughout'lthe vseveral-views:

Fi'g'ure 1"is` a. Vertical longitudinal section of a centrifugal pump having applied thereto a mechanical sealing device embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a Vertical longitudinal section showing in spaced apart relation the component parts of the sealing device, namely, the annular wall, the floating variety stationary sealing member and the rotary sealing member;

Figure 3 is a Vertical transverse section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1 and showing in detail the arrangement of the pins for holding the fioating variety stationary sealing member against rotation with respect to the shaft and also the arrangement and design of the spiral compression spring for urging the stationary sealing member into abutting relation with the rotary sealing member; and

Figure 4 is a Vertical longitudinal section showing a modified form of mechanical sealing device which is in the nature of a conversion unit and is adapted for use in connection with a centrifugal pump casing having originally a conventional stuffing box as the sealing medium for the drive shaft.

' The mechanical sealing device which is shown in Figures 1 to 3, inclusive of the drawing is what maybe termed a standard equipment unit and constitutes `one form or embodimen-t of the invention. It is illustrated in connection with a conventional centrifugal pump embodying a volute casing 8, an impeller 1' and a shaft 8 for driving the impeller, and serves as hereinafter described more in detail to prevent fluid under pressure within the pump casing from leaking past the shaft 8 at the point where the latter enters the casing. The casing of the pump comprises a vertically extending rear wall 9. a substantially vertically extending front wall 10 in spaced relation with the back wall and a volute side wall 1 I. The front wall 10 of the casing is provided at its central portion with a tubular inlet member 12 which is adapted to be connected by a pipe or conduit (not shown) to a source of fluid that is to be pumped by the pump. The volute side wall 11 of the pump casing is connected to, and extends between, the outer marginal portions of the rear and front walls 9 and 10 and has the portion thereof that is of the greatest radius shaped to form a tangential outlet member 13. The impeller 1 is disposed within the pump casing and .operates when driven by the shaft 8 to draw fluid into the central portion of the casing interior via the tubular inlet member 12 and to discharge the fluid under pressure through the tangentially extending. outlet member I 3 as well undrstood in the art. The rear wall 9 of the pump casing is provided in the central portion thereof with a circular opening 14. The shaft 8 for driving the impeller extends horizontally and it together with the pump casing B is supported by way of a bracket type mounting 15. One end of the shaft extends loosely through the circular opening 14 in the casing rear wall 9 and is provided with a reduced screw threaded stem 16 which fits within an internally threaded hub on the central portion of the impeller. As shown in Figure 1, the rear surface of the impelleris spaced a slight distance forwards of the inner surface of the rear wall 9 of the casing. The bracket'type mounting 15 comprises a flat rectangular base 1'1, an upstanding ring shaped member 18 at one end of the base and a standard 19 at the other end of the base.V The ring shapedmember 18 fits against, and is bolted to, the outer marginal portion of the rear wall 9 of the pump casing 6. The standard 19 is provided at its upper end with a horizontally extending sleeve-like member 20 and this surrounds the outer end of the shaft 8 and carries at its ends a pair of ball bearings 21 which serve rotatably to support the shaft. The outer end of the shaft is provided with a reduced stem 22 whereby the shaft may be connected for drive by an electric motor or other prime mover (not shown). The mechanical sealing device of Figures 1, 2 and 3 is in the form of a unit and, as shown in Figure 1, surrounds the central portion of the' shaft 8 and is interposed between the sleeve-like member 29 at the upper end of the standard 19 of the bracket type mounting 15 and the casing 6 of the centrifugal pump. It is essentially a 'sealingimedium for preventing leakage of fluid under pressure from the pump casing via the shaft opening 14 and comprises an annular wall 23,V a rotary ring shaped sealing member 24 and a stationary floating variety ring shaped sealing member 25.

The annular wall 23 is disposed externally of the pump casing 6 and is formed integrally with, and projects rearwards from, the portion of the casing rear wall 9 that is a small distance outwards of the shaft opening 14. The inner periphery of the annular wall 25 is in the form of a cylindrical bore 26 which is of materially greater diameter than the shaft opening 14. As shown in Figure 1, the bore 29 is arranged in concentric relation with the shaft opening 14 in the central portion of the rear wall of the pump casing. It is contemplated that so far as the mechanical sealing device of Figures 1, 2 and 3 is concerned the annular wall 23 will be of less length than the side wall of a conventional or standard stufiing box.

The ring shaped sealing member 24 extends around the drive shaft 8 and is located between the outer end of the annular wall 23 and the inner end of the sleeve-like member 20 at the upper end of the standard 19. It is formed of any suitable wear-resistant material, such, for example, as hardened stainless steel and has the inner end surface thereof, i. e., the surface that is adjacent the annular wall 23, machined, ground or lapped so that it is truly flat and extends at right angles to the axis of the shaft 8. A set screw 2'1 is disposed within a radially extending screw threaded hole 28 in the sealing member 24 and serves rigidly to connect the sealing member to the shaft so that it rotates conjointly therewith. The outer end of the set screw is provided with a diametric kerf in order that the set screw may be tightened or loosened by a screw driver or like turning tool. An elastic sealing ring 29 is disposed between the rotary sealing member 24 and the shaft 9 and serves to prevent fluid from fiowing outwards between the sealing member and the shaft. Such ring is known commercially as an O-ring and is preferably disposed in an annular groove 39 which extends around the inner periphery of the rotary sealing member 24 and is dosposed directly inwards of the inner end of said sealing member. The dimensions of the ring are such that the ring fits snugly within the groove 39 andv grips the shaft 8 with inward pressure. If the shaft 8? is sufficiently strong the elastic sealing ring 29 may be disposed in an annular groove in the shaft instead of in the internal groove 30 in the inner end of the rotary sealing member 24. Such member is surrounded by a collar 31 and has formed therein an external annular groove which constitutes a well 32 for a supply of any suitable lubricant. The collar 31 is fixedly secured to the outer periphery of the rotary sealing member `24 by a press fitandembodies a-radially B'as shown in. Figura 1 of the drawings. .maintained in sealed relation With the bore 26 "5 extending open ended'. screw thraded hole f33 whereby the:V lubrioant' may be introduced. into the well 32; A screw plug 34 fits; within, and' serves normali'y to close, the screw threaded ho1e33.

VSuch' hole: is axially aligned. with the screw .by way of a plurality of ducts 35 in order that Vsuch surface is lubricated by lubrica-nt from the well. If the fluid that is. pumped by thecentrifngal pump has a, lubricauttherein or has lubricating properties. the collar the well 32 and the ducts 3.5. may 'be eliminated. i

vThe Vfloating. variety stationary ring shaped ,sealing member 25 fits looselyv within the annu- ;l'ar wall 2.3 and. extends loosely around the shaft It is 'in the annularv wall 23 by way of an elastic sealring 36 and has. the outer end surface thereof 'in abutting relation with. the inner end surface of the rotary ring shaped sealing member 2'4. Such outer end surface of the. fioating va.-

friety ring shaped sea-ling member 25 ismachined,

groun'd or lappedin order that it is truly fiat. The sealin'g member 25' is formedl of anysuitable vanti'-fri'ction material, such, for example, as

'molded self-lubri'c'ating carbon. The elastic `seahng ringV 35' serves to prevent leakage. of fiuid Vbetween the stationary sealing member 25V and 'the bore 25' and is preferably disposed within an external' annular groove 3,'"tj in the. central pzortion "of the stationary sealing member 215. It .is the 'same in construction andmode of' operation as 'thesealing 'ring 39 between thev rotary sealing member 26 and the shaft and is so propo-rtioned VorV dimen'sioned that it fits snugly within the groove 31" and grips with4 outward. pressure-the linner periphery of Vthe annular Wall 23. The sealing'member 25 is heldagainst. rotation with the' shaft 8A by. way of a pluralitzir of horizontally vextending pins 38'. 'Such pins are disposed in parallel relation with the shaft 8 and have: the inner ends thereof', i. e., the ends thereof that' ;arerem'ote from' the isealing member. 25, fitting snugiy' within sockets 39m* the 'centra-l' opening defining'portion of theirear wall ii of the. pump casing 6. Preferably such ends of the pins 3'8 Qaresecuredin place by way' of a drive. or press fit.

'-'I'hei other` or outer endsiof the. pins. fit. loosel'y.

withinl socketsV 4B in the inner end. of the] ring s'hapedsea'ung member 25 in order. that such member is free to float'or angularl'y adjust tseif to a' limited extent to the end that it effectsselfi alignment'thereof with the rotary sealing memin order to provide a pressure Chamber M1' 'Such cha'mber' communicates with thejinteri'or of. the i 'pump casing 6 via the over-sized shaft. opening and permts the fluid under pressure that aceumulates therein during. drive of the shaft to exert such endwise pressure on thesealingmem-A be'r V25` as to cause the latter firmly to `abut against the rotary sealing member 24. 'I'hepressureof the fiuid in thepressurechamber 431; cor-`V responds to the pressure of the fiuid'n thepump casing and hence as the pressure in the pump casing increases due to increased speed of drive ofthe. shaft. 8 the pressure of the fluid in,V 'the' formed in therear wall 9 of the casingv of the pump and hasatwofold purpose. in'that it assists the over-sized shaftopening I 4. in admitting fiuid under vpu'essure into the pressure ohamber' and also permits thev fluid in the pressure chamber to drain bachV into the vpump casing vinterior when the pumpisj. stopped. The float: variety stationary sealing member-;25 is urged in the direction of the rotary sealing, memberV 241by'way of; a spiral compression spring 43 to the end that when the drive shaft 8. is. stopped. and there is hence no uidunder pressure in the pressure Chamber 41 the seal between the abutting, end surfaces of the two sealing; members is mainta-ined. This spring surrounds, but does not engage, the shaftV 8 andl has the inner end thereof disposed in an annular groove M in the. open.-

`ing definng portion of the rear wall 9 of the pumpV casing 6. The, outer end; ofthe. spring; 43 is disposed. within an; internal annular groove-45 in the, inner lend of the fioating variety stationary sealingmember 25. By' reason of the fact that the spring does notv engage the. shaft- 8 it does not turn or revolve. with such shaft.

When the pump is in operation. as the: result of drive of the shaft, 8 the sealingmemberv revolves or rotates with the shaft and, by reason of the sealed relation between. its fiat inner end surfacel and the outer end surface ofthe stationary sealing member, coacts with the'latter member to. preventv lea-kage ofiiuid along the shaft.

The sealing ring 29 prevents leakage of fluid -between the rotary sealing member 2d and the shaft 8'. The stationary. sealing member 25 is maintained in sealed relation with. the rotary sealing member by the pressure of the. fluid in the pressure chamber `and also the action ofthe compression spring 45. groove. 3? prevents leakage of fiuid. between the fioating variety stationary sealing. member 25 and the annular wall 23.. .In connection with drive of the shaft, rlubricant fiows from the well through the ducts 35v onto the, abutting end surfaces of the two sealing members.

'The aforementione'd mechanical seaiing device. isv essentially simple in design and is characterized. by extremely high. efiiciency. It. is ca- I pablo of being produced at a comparatively .low cost andv also assembled and. dismantled with facility. It is contemplated that the sealing device of Figures .1, 2 and 3 will. be supplied asstandard equipment with` the pump withwhich it isassociated. i i

The mechanical sealing device of'V Figura 4 is in thenature. of a replacement or reconversicn unit on Aa centrifugal pump which. was originally furni'shed or supplied with a conventional or standard stufiing box comprising an annular wall, packing' within' the wall and a screw threaded follower. I In. Figures the rear wallof the. pump casing is designated by Vthereference.

numeral. 9a, the. driveshaftfor .the pump: is dfesignated -bythe reference numeral 8a and .theg annular wall ofthe vstuflingbox is designa'ted. by'

The sealing ring 35 in the fa'osgfaoo ,7 w drive shaft 8a extends into the interior of the pump casing. The device of Figure 4 comprises a rotary ring shaped sealing member 24a and a coacting fioating variety stationary ring shaped sealing member 25a and is the same in design and mode of operation as the sealing device of Figures 1, 2 and 3 except that it includes as an additional part an adaptor ring 46 in which are mounted the inner ends of the pins for holding the sealing member 25a against rotation with the drive shaft 8a. In installing the mechanical sealing device of Figure 4 the screw threaded follower and packing of the conventional stufling box are first removed from the annular wall 23a. Thereafter such annular wall is milled or drilled to form a counter-bore 41 which is of sufiicient depth to accommodate the adaptor ring 46 and the floating f-variety stationary sealing `member 25m- After formation 'of the counter-bore 41 the adaptor ring 46 with the pins thereon is driven into the rear end of the counter-bore until 'it is fixedly seated in the inner end thereof. As

shown in Figure 4 the adaptor ring 46 surrcunds loosely the drive shaft 8a and has an internal annular groove for the inner end of the spiral compression spring that serves to-urge the fioat variety stationary sealing member 25a into abutment or sealed relation with the rotary sealing member 24a. After mounting of the --adaptor ring 46 in place the two sealing lmembers are mounted and assembled as shown in Figure 4.

Whereas the mechanical sealing device has 'been vdescribed andillustrated in connection with a centrifugal pump it is to be understood, that it may be used in connection with a rotary compressor, a rotary agitator, a rotary mixer or any 'other unit embodying a fluid filled casing and a rotaryl drive shaft extending intolthe casing. It is also to be understood that the invention is not to be restricted to the details set forth since these may be modified within the scope of 'the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. o

Having thusdescribed the invention what I claim as new and desire to secure Vby Letters Patent is: s

1. A mechanical sealing device designed for use with a fiuid pressure filled casing and a rotary shaft extending through an over-sized opening -in the casing, adapt'ed to prevent leakage of fluid from the casingalong the shaft, and comprising an externally disposed annular wall of ,uniform internal diameter from end to end and of greater internal diameter than the opening, extending concentrically around the shaft. and connected to, and extending outwards from, the casing, 'a first ring shaped sealing member disposed adjacent the outer end of the annular wall, extending around, and connected to rotate with, the shaft, having an internal annular groove intermediate its ,ends with a shaft encircling and gripping elastic sealing ring therein,` and embodying a smooth inner end surface, a coact'ing second ring shaped sealing member fitting loosely within'the annular wall and around the shaft, embodying a smooth-outer end surface in abutmentwith the-smooth inner end surface of the first sealing member, 'having an external annular groove intermediateits ends with a wall engaging andV grippingelastic sealing ring thereingembodying a plurality of spaced apart longitudinally extending socketsi in its inner end portion, provided with means in' the form of a plurality of pins around and infparallel relation with the shaft 'and with 'certain ends thereof 'anchored' "in the opening' defining portion of the'casing and their other'. ends fitting loosely in said sockets, for holding it against rotation with the shaft while at the same time permitting it to `fioat to a limited extent in order to permit selfalignment thereof with the first sealing member, and having its inner end spaced from the inner end of said annular wall in order to form a pressure chamber which communicates with the casing interior via the shaft opening and permits the fluid under pressure that accumulates there- 'in to exert endwise pressure on the second sealing member in the direction of said first seal- 'ing member, and a single spiral compression spring extending around, but out of engagement with, the shaft, located directly inside of the pins, having one end thereof in direct abutment with said opening defining'portion of the 'casing and its other end in abutment with the inner end of the second sealingv member, and adapted to exert a substantially constant out- Ward force on the second sealing member in order to rnaintain it in abutting relation with the first sealing member when there is no fiuid under pressure in said pressure chamber.

2. A mechanical sealing devicedesigned for use with a casing normally filled with fluid under pressure and a rotary horizontal shaft extending through an over-sized opening in the casing, adapted to prevent leakage of fluid from the casing along the shaft, and comprising an externally disposed annular wall of greater internal diameter than the' opening, extending concentrically around the shaft, and connected to. and extending outwards from, the casing, a first ring shaped sealing member disposed adjacent the outer end of the annular wall, extending around, and connected to rotate with, the shaft, having an internal annular groove intermediate its ends with a shaft encircling and gripping elastic sealing ring therein, and embodying a smooth inner end surface, a coacting second ring shaped sealing member fitting loosely within the annular wall and around the shaft, embodying a smooth outer end surface in abutment With the smooth inner end surface of the first sealing member, having an external annular groove intermediate its ends with a wall engaging and gripping elastic sealing ring therein, provided with pin and socket connections for holding it against rotation with the shaft while at the. same time permitting it to float to 'a limited extent in order to permit self-alignment thereofl with the first" sealing member, and having its inner end spacedfrom the inner end of said annular Wall in order to form a pressure Chamber which communicates with the casing interior via the shaft opening andA permits the fluid under pressure that accumulates therein to exert endwise pressure on the second sealing member in the direction of said first sealing member, a single spiral compression spring extending around, but out of engagement with, the shaft, having one end i thereof in abutment with the opening defining underv pressure to'the chamber when the c'as ing`l i Vis fill'edwith' fluid under pressure-and to drain' fluid: from' the 'chamber' when no fluid under pressure exists in the casing.

3: 'A mechanical' sealing device designed foruse vwith a `fluid pressure filledf casing and a rotary shaft' extendinginto the casing, adapte'd`v to prevent leakage of fiuidfromA the'ficasing along f the'v shaft, and comprising an annular wallofl materiallygreater: internalA diameter thanA the diameter'of the shaft, positioned concentrioallv around the shaft, extendingj :outw'ards from, and in fixedi relation with, the casing, and having at the` inner endl' thereof means forming a crosswall with an= over-sized opening around the shaft -andl in communication with the casing interior, afirst' ringfshaped sealing member disposed adjacent the outer end' ofthe` annular wall, ex'tending' around, and connected to rotate with, the shaft, having anM internal annular grooveintermediate itsends with' a shaftl encircling and gripping elastic sealing' ring therein, and embodying a smoothi'nner sure Chamber which communicates With the casing interior via said' over-si'zed opening and per.-

mits the. fluid' under pressure thatf a'ecumulatesA therein to exert endwi'se pressure on the second sealing member in the direction of the first seal-` ing member, 'a plurality of pins disposed within the annular wall, extending around, and in parallel relation with, the shaft, having the inner ends thereof anchored to said orosswall and their other ends fitting loosely in said sockets, and serving to hold the second sealing member against rotation With the shaft while at the same time permitting it to float to a limited extent in order to permit self-alignment thereof With the first sealing member, and a single spiral compression spring extending around, but out of engagement with, the shaft, located directly inside of the pi-ns, having one end thereof in abutment with the crosswall and its other end in abutment with the inner end of the second sealing member, and adapted to exert a substantially constant outward force on the second sealing member in order to maintain it in abutment with the first sealing member when there is no fluid under pressure in said pressure chamber.

4. A mechanical sealing device designed for use With a fluid pressure filled casing and a rotary shaft extending into the casing, adapted to prevent leakage of fluid from the casing along the shaft, and comprising an annular Wall of materially greater internal diameter than the diameter of the shaft, positioned concentrioally around the shaft, extending outwards from, and in fixed relation with, the casing, and having at the inner end thereof means forming a crosswall with an over-sized opening around the shaft and in communication With the casing interior, a first ring shaped sealing member disposed adjacent' the outer end of the annular wall, extending around, and connected to rotate with,

the shaft, having an internall annular` groove intermediate'its ends with avshaft encircling and gripping elastic sealing ring' therein, and embodying a smooth inner' nd surface, a coacting second ring shaped sealingmember fitting looselr within 'the annular Wall and around the shaft,, embodying a smooth outerv end surface` in abutment with the smoothinnerend surface of the; n firstv sealing; member, having an elastic: sealing ring between vit and the inner' periphery' of the, annular'wall, and having its inner end spaced' from the crosswall in 'order to form a pressure` chamber ,which communicates' with the casing interior via said over-si'zd opening, and' permits the 'fluid under pressureA that' accumu'lates therein to exert endwise pressure on the secondzsealing member in the direction o f the first'sealing membeizj pin and socketl connections; between lone of, the Walls'and the; inner portion' ofV the second sealing member for holdingv saidl second sealing member against rotation With ,the shaft while at the same timeV permitting it to fioat to a limited extent in orderto permit self-ali'gnment thereof. With` the first sealing member, and a single spiral compression spring extending around, but out; ofv engagement With, the-shaft, having onel end thereof in direct abutment with the crosswall and; its` other end in direct abutment with the inner end of the" second sealing:

member, andadapted to' exert a substantially ameter of the shaft, ;positionedf concentrically'f`V around the shaft, extending outwards from, and' in fixed relation with, the'v casing, and' having at' the inner end thereof means forming a crosswall with an over-sized opening around the shaft and in communication with the casing interior, a first ring shaped sealing member disposed adjacent the outer end of the annular wall, extending around, and connected to rotate with, the shaft, provided with an elastic sealing ring between it and the shaft, embodying a smooth inner end surface, having intermediate its ends an external annular groove forming a well for lubricant, and also having a lubricant duct between the Well and its smooth inner end surface, a collar extending around, and fixedly secured to,l the first sealing members, serving as a closure for the outer portion of the well, and provided with a plug closed hole for introducing lubricant into said well, a coacting second ring shaped sealing member fitting loosely within the annular Wall and around 'the shaft, embodying a smooth outer end surface in abutment with the smooth inner end surface of the first sealing member, having an elastic sealing ring between it and the inner periphery of the annular wall, and having its inner end spaced from the crosswall in order to form a pressure chamber which communicates with the casing interior via said over-sized opening and permits the fluid under pressure that accumulates therein to exert end- Wise pressure on the second sealing member in the direction of the first sealing member, pin and socket connections between one of the walls and the inner portion of the second sealing member` for holding said second sealing memberagainst rotation with the shaft while at the same time permitting it to float to a limited extent in order to permit self-alignment thereof withithe first sealing member, and a single spiral compression spring extending around, but out ofwengagement with, the shaft, having one end thereof in direct abutment with the crosswall and'its other end in direct abutment with the inner end of the second sealing member, and adapted to exert a substantially constant out- Ward force .on said second sealing member in order to maintain it in abutment with the first sealing member when there is no fiuid under pressure in said pressure chamber. i

6. A mechanical sealing device designed for use with a fiuid pressure filled casingV and a rotary. shaft extending into the casing,'adapted to prevent leakage of fiuid from the casingalong the shaft, and comprising an annular wall of materially greater internal diameter than the diameter of the shaft, positioned concentrically around the shaft, extending outwards from, and in fixedrelation with, the casing, and having at the inner end thereof means forming a crosswall with an over-sized opening' around the shaft and in communication with the casing interior, a first ringA shaped sealing member disposed adjacent the outer end of the annular wall, extending around, and connected to rotatev with, the shaft, having an internal annular groove intermediatev its ends witha shaft encircling and gripping elastic sealing ring therein, and embodying a smooth inner end surface, a coacting second ring shaped sealing member fitting loosely within the annular wall and around the shaft, embodyinga'smooth outer end surface in abutment with the smooth inner end surface of the first sealing member, having an elastic sealing ring between it and the inner periphery of the annular wall, and having its inner end spaced from the crosswall in order to form a pressure chamber which communicates with the casing interior via'said oversized opening and permits the fiuid under pressure that accumulates therein to exert endwise pressure on the second scaling member in the direction of the first sealing member, pin and socketconnections between one of the walls and the inner portion of the second sealing member for holding said second sealing member against rotation with the shaft while at the same time permitting it to fioat to a limited extentV in Aorder to permit self-alignment thereof with the first sealing member; a singlespiral compression spring extending around; but out of engagement with, the shaft, having one end thereof in direct abutment With the crosswall and its other end in direct abutment -withthe inner end of the second sealing member, and adapted to exert a substantially constant outward force on said second sealing member in order to maintain it in abutment with the first seal'- ing member when there is no fluid under pres- References caea m the lnie of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date' 1,167,210 Orr Jan. 4, 1916 1,927,543 Doyle' Sept. 19, 1933' 2,023,206 Olson Dec. 3, 1935 2,365,046 Bottomley Dec. 12, 1944 2,383,862 lHornschuch Aug. 28, 1945 2,405,464 Storer, Jr. Aug. 6, 1946 2,434,458 Curry Jan. 13, 1948 2,4'79,711v Artunofl Aug. 23, 1949 

